Rights of workers

Foreign workers have the same rights and obligations arising from the employment relationship as national workers. However, the Employment, Self-employment and Work of Foreigners Act lays down specific conditions that apply to the employment or work of foreign nationals.

Check what work you can do

The work permit issued under the agreement and the consent to the single permit determine what work foreign workers can do and how they can do it.

Therefore, check the work permit or consent (duration, type, etc.), as work contrary to the work permit or consent is not allowed. A fine and ban on employment for the next two years are prescribed if this rule is not followed.

Duration of contract

You can have a fixed or permanent employment relationship with your employer, but the contract is also subject to a valid residence permit.

However, as a work permit can only be issued for a maximum of one year, failure to renew the work permit is automatic grounds for termination of the employment contract.

Accommodation standards

If your employers provide accommodation for you, they must provide you with minimum standards of housing and hygiene.

You can read more about this in Rules on minimum standards for accommodation of foreigners.

Be aware of your rights

Being aware of your rights is important in any job, as the law protects you from exploitation.

If you think your employer is breaking the law, you have the right to take action.

You can contact various government bodies, in particular:

Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia,
Address: Štukljeva cesta 44, Ljubljana,
Telephone: (01) 208 36 60,
Email: gp.irsd@gov.si,

as well as:

non-government organisations or

Counselling Office for Workers.

Discrimination in employment

Discrimination is any unjustified unequal treatment of people based on their personal grounds such as gender, age, nationality, disability, race or ethnic origin, language, sexual orientation and similar.

The right to equal treatment and protection against discrimination is one of the fundamental human rights. Discrimination is prohibited in Slovenia which also applies to the area of employment and work.

Learn more:

Ensuring equal opportunities and preventing discrimination in employment and work (handbook for employees and job seekers)

Human trafficking

A violent offence committed by individuals or internationally organised criminal networks. It takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging.